Red Bus is introducing an electric urban bus service to Christchurch

Red Bus, in 2019, will introduce and operate New Zealand’s first fully electric urban bus service in Christchurch.

This follows the signing of an agreement to purchase three electric buses, part of a commitment to gradually introduce new technology across Christchurch public transport services.

The new buses, which will be delivered by March 2019, will be used on the route between the central business district and Christchurch Airport, which carries more than 200,000 passengers per year.

Red Bus Chief Executive, Paul McNoe, said this route between the city centre and the airport is ideal for the fully-battery electric-powered ADL/BYD buses, that will be permanent replacements for three diesel buses.

“Based on current use of a similar electric bus design in Sydney, Canberra, London and China, we’ll be able to use them all day on the airport service without needing a re-charge,” continued McNoe. “Using electric buses on the airport service achieves four objectives simultaneously: an improvement of customer service through lower internal and external noise levels, the immediate and long term reduction in local exhaust emissions, reduced carbon consumption for this service and the opportunity to demonstrate the latest vehicle technology to our Christchurch residents.

“We are expecting immediate environmental and health benefits from these battery electric powered buses. The zero tailpipe emissions reduces our annual carbon footprint by five per cent or 290 tonnes with reduced noise levels inside and outside the buses. The reduced noise levels improve the service for passengers and residents alike.”

The introduction of the buses also supports the Government’s commitment to reach its 2050 emissions reduction target.

The potential for wider use of electric buses will be considered once the buses are in service, which will include the vehicles being tested on other routes – including Christchurch’s hill suburbs.

Stewart Gibbon, ECan’s Senior Manager Public Transport, said: “Improving the environmental footprint of the public transport system is a key focus of ours and our transport partners. This service will provide us with significant insights and learnings to help shape how we leverage this technology to evolve the public transport service for Greater Christchurch and Canterbury.”

The Christchurch Agency for Energy Trust (CAfE), a charitable trust established by the Christchurch City Council to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, has contributed core support funding for this project.